Rugby – Scotland v England 4 February 2012

The Auld Enemy turned up at Murrayfield on Saturday with eight new caps, a new head coach and the full support of Britains bookies, but with a bit of rumbling from the English ‘experts’ about dropping most of the old hands. While they weren’t anywhere near as dominant a force as some English teams have been in the past, they did manage to cross the finishing line seven points clear for their first Murrayfield win since 2008, Scotland’s eternal lack of success in the try scoring department letting them down in the end – but it was close.

Scotland kicked off into the seething cauldron that is Murrayfield when Scotland and England compete and straight away went on the attack with players all over the field making it difficult for the visitors to decide where the kick off was going to end up. However, once the game was underway, both teams were playing a cagey game with possession and territory swapping regularly. England had the first scoring opportunity 13 minutes in with a penalty which, new cap, Owen Farrell stuck just wide, giving the nay-sayers of English rugby a chance to stroke their beards and nod sagely. Less than 10 minutes later though, Scotland gave Farrell another chance to open the scoring, which he duly slotted home to give the visitors a three point lead with 24 minutes on the clock.

Straight from the kick-off, the home side put the English team under immediate pressure in their 22 and were awarded with their own penalty, a chance which Cardiff’s Dan Parks scored to draw the sides level.

Weathering an England attack which failed to penetrate the home sides defence, Scotland turned-over the ball, which was hoofed off down the field to get Scotland on the attack and just short of the England try line. With Chris Cusiter forcing Chris Ashton to hold onto the ball just short of the line, Parks took the chance the chance to put Scotland in the lead.

The half ended with Scotland in possession, on the attack, but not really doing anything to look like making a try-scoring opportunity and going into the break 6-3 ahead.

From the restart, the ball ended up in Parks’ hands for a nice, simple kick to touch. It didn’t quite work out as planned when Charlie Hodgson charged the kick down and then fell on the ball over the Scotland line. With Farrell scoring from the kick, England were 10-3 ahead with still 39 minutes to play. The Scots didn’t let their heads drop and attack after attack saw first David Denton making a charge up the left hand touch-line, then Richie Gray battling up the middle of the field (pictured) and finally a kick through from yet another assault on the 63 minute mark which saw the ‘nearly try’. Greg Laidlaw, on for Parks, chipped the ball in behind the visitors defence, and charged through to compete with Ben Youngs for the touch down. Oh, it was close! It took the TMO almost 5 minutes to decide that Laidlaw hadn’t got enough on the ball to warrant the score and match referee, George Clancy, gave the ‘no-try’ signal that the home fans were dreading.

And that was that, more or less. England came up with another two penalties, Farrell only scoring from one, and Scotland ended the match as they had begun, on the attack, but just failing to make the breakthrough. With David Denton being awarded Man-of-the-Match, Scotland came away from the encounter with another ‘brave’ defeat, 13-6 down, too many turn-overs and lack of penetration being the match losers which need to be worked on before meeting Wales in Cardiff next week.

As a footnote, such is the aura surrounding the Calcutta Cup encounter that the tongue-in-cheek reckoning in the Photographer’s room afterwards was that Scotland’s bid for Independence could hinge on the result of this very match. Choose your date wisely Alec…

Report and Photo – John Preece
Web - http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography

Edinburgh Tourism Bosses announce their plans

Rugby – Scotland Women v Army Select, 7 January 2012

In the lead-up to the 6 Nations Tournament, Scotland fielded all 30 of their pool players against the Army in a friendly match at Murrayfield. The game was played with rolling substitutes – 10 subbed-on at one point! – to give everyone a chance at playing and to allow the coaching staff to see everyone in action.

The Scotland team scored four tries in a fairly tough match, in which their opponents didn’t pull any (metaphorical) punches, but in the end the Army team just weren’t strong enough.

The National side showed some fine running from the backs, as well as strong play up front from the pack with the Scotland scrum being easily the better. They didn’t have it all their own way in the loose, however, the Army turning over Scotland far too often and easily from the ruck. Something to work on, perhaps?

With the half-time score sitting at 12-6, Scotland had the majority of the play in the second half to run in another two tries and finish the game 24-6 ahead.

This was the team’s second win on the bounce (they defeated The Netherlands 33-10 in November) but they still have a mountain to climb if they are going to get anything against the World’s best team, England, at Lasswade on 5 February 2012.

Report and Photo – John Preece
Web - http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography

Winners of Scotland can Make it! announced

Ceramic jelly moulds, travel blankets, politicised tenement-shaped jewellery, a sports wear accessory, an iPhone app, and medals made from Tunnocks teacakes. No, not an eccentric Christmas list: these are the winners of Scotland Can Make It! a nationwide competition which asked Scotland’s artists and designers to create a series of souvenirs inspired by London 2012 and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games of 2014, manufactured entirely in Scotland. And there’s not a single keyring or tartan shortbread tin amongst them.

The six winning collaborations, including Scottish manufacturers TUNNOCKS, JOHNSTONS OF ELGIN and CHEMIKAL UNDERGROUND, rock band FOUND, internationally renowned visual artist LUCY MCKENZIE and much-lauded ceramicist KATY WEST will now go on to create prototypes of their designs, working in conjunction with Scottish manufacturing companies, which will be displayed in a major exhibition at Glasgow’s People’s Palace in 2012. Beyond 2012, Scotland Can Make It! organisers Panel will investigate the possibility of production, distribution and sale of the final souvenirs leading up to and coinciding with cultural activities planned for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2014.

As the competition was created to enable relationships between Scotland’s creative and industrial sectors, each entrant was asked to specify a Scottish-based manufacturer they would work with on the project. Entries were judged by a panel featuring some of the UK’s most influential art and design professionals, including Turner Prize Winner 2011 Martin Boyce, leading design retailer Sheridan Coakley, Alasdair Campbell (former director, The Tolbooth, Stirling) and Christina Jansen (Curator, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh).

• Textile designer Claire Duffy will work with legendary Scottish confectionary brand Tunnocks on TUNNOCKS MEDALS: a re-working of the iconic Tunnocks Teacake foil wrapping into gold, silver and bronze medals, packaged as a three-set in souvenir boxes: perfect as prizes for sports days or just a fun way to get families involved by staging their own mini games!

• THE GOLDEN TENEMENT, a collaboration between graphic designer Neil McGuire and goldsmith/jeweller Marianne Anderson, proposes to investigate urban regeneration and displacement, and how particular ideas of ‘city’ and ‘nation’ are perpetuated through mega-events such as London 2012 and Glasgow 2014. Miniature replicas of the tenement building in Dalmarnock that was pulled down to make way for the Commonwealth Games’ infrastructure, will be mass-produced to be sold as souvenirs in 2014. These replicas will call attention to the story of the residents’ eviction, and to other stories of displacement through regeneration.

• Taking the line that while events like the Olympics or Commonwealth Games are historical occasions, in commemorating the day you’re as likely to be remembering a good time with family or friends, Atelier (fashion designer Beca Lipscombe and internationally-renowned artist Lucy McKenzie), working with Marc Camille Chaimowicz, propose to create a set of three LAMBSWOOL TRAVEL BLANKETS, manufactured by master weavers Begg Scotland of Ayr, with leather carry-cases made by McROSTIE of Glasgow. The blankets are intended to be used for picnicking, or wrapping up warmly, at outdoor events.

• Ceramicist Katy West, whose designs have been shortlisted for Homes and Gardens Classic Design Award and featured in Elle Décor and Wallpaper*, proposes to work with North West Highland pottery, Highland Stoneware to create CERAMIC JELLY MOULDS in the shape of iconic Scottish skylines, both rural and urban. The moulds tap into a historic Scottish design tradition, paying homage to the 17^th Century designs of Glasgow company Bells Pottery. West proposes to work with a number of high-profile Scottish chefs on sweet and savoury jelly recipes to accompany each design, reclaiming the jelly from a children’s party staple as a specifically Scottish delicacy.

• Art-pop band FOUND, perhaps best-known for their BAFTA-winning ‘autonomous emotional robot band’ Cybraphon, exhibited at both the Edinburgh and Glasgow International Festivals of Visual Art in 2010, have questioned whether a souvenir need necessarily be a physical product at all. Working with Glasgow record label Chemikal Underground, they’ve proposed a SOUVENIR APP, designed to actively encourage users to return to the London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 sites. Depending on the user’s global positioning, each audio-visual app will reveal more and more of a specially-created piece of music and accompanying artwork.

• Weave designer Angharad McLaren and Emlyn Firth of A Visual Agency propose to work with renowned Scottish textile manufacturers Johnstons of Elgin to create a new fabric for sportswear accessories. They plan to use the popularity of sports performance apparel as casual wear among broader Glasgow society as a genuine way to engage people from diverse backgrounds in sporting activity.

 

Lucy McEachan and Catriona Duffy of Panel said: “Souvenirs communicate a strong message about an experience, a place, and its culture. The winning Scotland Can Make It! proposals will bring well-designed Scottish products to public attention, in addition to focusing our industrial sector’s attention on good design. Representing the breadth of contemporary Scottish creativity, the proposals range from affordable pieces, through limited-edition designs, to complex proposals that explore our relationship to large-scale events such as the Commonwealth Games.“

Iain Munro, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland, said: ‘Scotland Can Make It! offers a great platform to showcase our creative and manufacturing talent to national and international audiences during two major events: the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Next September’s exhibition will be a highlight of the Year of Creative Scotland – a chance for us to support, showcase and celebrate Scotland’s creativity.’

Put out the Welcome to Scotland App

 

Technology Puts Scotland on the M-App

 

Scottish tourism received a major St Andrew’s day boost today with the launch of the most technologically advanced tourism app in Europe, Welcome to Scotland.

 

The new app uses augmented reality, pointing technology, GPS and interactive maps to deliver detailed information on just about anything the visitor might want to know. Based on Landmark Press’s successful Welcome to Scotland website the app also features many exceptional special offers.

 

Launching the app at Camera Obscura in Edinburgh, Fergus Ewing, Scottish Government Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism said: “This app is an excellent way of getting the most up to date and relevant information to visitors, helping them make the most of their time in Scotland. It will enhance their experience by empowering them with the knowledge they need to have an unforgettable trip.

 

“It’s come at an exciting time where we have so much to offer in the lead up to, and beyond, the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and the Homecoming in 2014.”

 

Using GPS, the app provides comprehensive information for visitors on what they can see and do nearby, while the augmented reality facility helps them identify landmarks and hills – all of Scotland’s Munros and Corbetts are included. The app also enables visitors to plan ahead and search for and book accommodation by destination.

 

Alan Bird, project director comments: “One of the Welcome to Scotland app’s most valuable and unusual features is that all of its content and main map are preloaded. This means visitors can access the information wherever they are with no internet connection being required. As a Scottish travel app, this makes a huge difference because many of our most beautiful rural locations suffer from poor broadband and mobile data coverage. It also enables visitors from abroad to use the app on the go without risking expensive roaming charges.”

 

“A further major plus point for the app is that it provides exceptional value for money. With excellent special offers from many of Scotland’s top attractions, activity operators, accommodation providers and restaurants, users will recoup the £2.99 purchase price many times over.”

 

David Hayes, managing director, added: ‘Through Landmark Press and our ‘Welcome’ bedroom folders and guides we have been at the forefront of information provision for Scotland’s tourism industry for well over 20 years. With the huge increase in the use of smartphones, it made undoubted sense to develop an app that would act as a guide to Scotland  and that would be fun and entertaining to use.’

 

‘We have been fortunate to have worked for the last three years with the Edinburgh based digital agency Line UK. They have done a great job, as more recently have GeoGuides the app developers from Wicklow’

 

‘Developing the app will be an ongoing process’ he continued. ‘We are asking anyone who wishes to be featured or who has improvements to suggest to contact us at info@welcometoscotland.com.’

 

Polo – Indoor polo at Gleneagles this winter

 

Over the winter months, Gleneagles Hotel are holding a series of indoor arena polo matches.

Thom Bell, Scotland’s highest rated Polo coach, will be hosting the matches and, as some of Scotland’s best players are involved, the play will be a to a fairly high standard. Thom referees and commentates during the matches, as well as running a short demonstration of techniques and rules before each match commences.

The arena itself, as one would expect of Gleneagles, is to the highest standard with heating and seats for 700 spectators, as well as standing areas to the side. Thom is also hoping that, possibly this season but more likely next, he can can involve a few more teams and run a proper season-long league.
The remaining dates to note are 27th November, 18th and 26th December and the 1st January(!). Play starts at 2:00pm and runs until about 4:00pm. Entry is free to all and there is no requirement to be a Gleneagles guest to simply turn up and enjoy.

Words and Photo – John Preece

Web - http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography

Scots team use their Edinburgh experience in India

Rugby – Edinburgh v Racing Metro 92, Heineken Cup, Round 2

What a game! If the sponsor had been a different brewing company “We don’t do Rugby, but…” would have fitted nicely. 11 tries and 95 points in a thrilling Heineken cup encounter at Murrayfield saw Edinburgh come away victors by one point against French side, Racing Metro 92.

It looked as if Racing Metro were going to confirm French team’s legendary lack of away form – or interest – in European matches when, inside 10 minutes, Edinburgh were 17-3 ahead after a try from Tim Visser in the first minute and another from Greg Laidlaw with less than eight minutes on the clock, Laidlaw converting both and still managing to fit in a penalty, the visitors three point coming from a Jonathon Wisniewski penalty. Three minutes later, Racing scored their first try from a wide passing move that had winger Julien Saubade breaking through the Edinburgh defence and slide in near the posts. Kick over, 17-10 to Edinburgh.

Three minutes later another Racing try, this time from Juan Imhoff and another conversion from Wisniewski and the score was now 17-17 – and less than 15 minutes into the match. From here the French side took control and through another two converted tries from Jonathon Wisniewski and Henry Chavancy had them stretch away to a 31-17 lead, with only a penalty from Laidlaw in answer to leave the half-time score at 31-20 in favour of the visitors.

It only took Racing 13 minutes of the scond half to turn the screw and put another two tries and a penalty past the Edinburgh team to have a 24 point lead, at 44-20 and with less than 20 minutes to go it looked like it might be game over. With 63 minutes of the game gone, Edinburgh finished a period of possession and attacking play with a try under the posts from Netani Talei and with Laidlaw converting Edinburgh were now only (only!) 17 points behind. Soon it was up to 20, as a penalty from Wisniewski took Racing up to 47 points. A yellow card for Orlandi gave Edinburgh possession and with 13 minutes to go another break through the defence from the home side put the ball in the hands of Tom Brown who dived over in the corner, Laidlaw again converting. 47-34.

And it went on. A superb succession of passing and rucking from their own 22 ended with Edinburgh No. 7, Roddy Grant, going outside the defence and running round to score under the posts and take the score, with the conversion from Laidlaw, to 47-41, Edinburgh closing in and with at least two bonus points. That wasn’t enough, though, and with barely four minutes to go, Edinburgh secured ball deep in the Racing 22 and a wide move to the left had a two man overlap and, with try machine Visser getting his hands on the ball five metres out, there was only going to be one outcome. With Visser’s second and Edinburgh’s sixth try, it was down to Man-of-the-Match, Greg Laidlaw, to convert from two metres in from touch and to take the lead. No pressure then!

On a roll, the ball sailed between the posts and the crowd went wild. 48-47 and all the home side had to do now was to secure and hold possession from the kick-off for the remaining three minutes and the game was theirs. Apart from giving away a penalty with 40 seconds to go, at least. Too far out for a shot at goal, the French choose to go for the line-out and try and work a drop-goal in to the attack. And it so nearly came off. Inside the 22 and in front of the posts, scrum-half Mattieu Lorre passed the ball back to Juan-Martine Hernandez and as he lined up for an easy drop, Edinburgh screamed off the line and put enough pressure on the French kicker to make him fluff the kick. With the final whistle going, the home side weren’t sure whether to leap about in excitement or pass a collective sigh of relief. A mixture of both seemed to be the order of the day and Edinburgh had secured their second win in the competition, both against highly respected opposition. London Irish, who lie second in the Aviva Premiership and Racing Metro, last year’s French Championship runner’s up.

Edinburgh’s biggest crowd of the season, just over 5,000, will have to wait a long time to see a game as exciting as this one. The action was never ending and it is with great credit to the fitness and skill of both sets of players that they thrilled and entertained for eighty minutes and left the Edinburgh supporters, all too often disappointed, on a high after the game. One indicator of a great match was the Photographer’s Room after full time. Usually a hive of quiet muttering and keyboard tapping as photos get edited and sent around the publishers and agencies, it was instead, for a few minutes at least, a hive of excited conversation.

Finally, it appeared from exchanges with supporters that French Rugby icon, Sebastien Chabal, was one reason for at least a few of them being there. So no apologies for the photograph!

Edinburgh’s next home match is against Aironi on the 2nd December in the RaboDirect PRO12 League.

Report and photo – John Preece
Web - http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography

Edinburgh MP wants VAT cut

Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, has been highlighting the campaign to cut VAT on building repairs and maintenance to 5% with a visit to a local architect’s practice in Stockbridge this week. The MP was visiting the offices of David Blaikie Architects, in Deanhaugh Street  on a bit of a fact-finding mission.

Mark said:

“With more than 1 million young people now out of work, we urgently need action to get the economy growing again and cutting VAT on building repairs and maintenance would give a real boost to small building firms. It would create new skilled jobs for young people desperately searching for work and the chance to retrain for older workers laid off.

The UK Government claims the private sector will just step in to pick up the slack as public sector jobs are axed but that just isn’t happening.

Cutting VAT on building repairs would make it cheaper to insulate harder to heat homes, bring older properties back into use to meet housing demand and help conserve our architectural heritage.”

 

The campaign for a cut in VAT on building repairs and maintenance to 5% is supported by a wide range of organisations such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the National Trust and the Federation of Master Builders. You can read a further report on the matter here.

The latest unemployment figures just out for October 2011 saw the total rise to 1.6 million overall in the UK with youth unemployment breaking the 1 million mark. Unemployment as a whole in Scotland rose 5000 over the quarter (July-September) to 215,000 and youth unemployment in Scotland rose 14,000 to reach 84,000.

Edinburgh MP speaks out on youth unemployment

The Office for National Statistics has announced today new figures for unemployment in the UK.

From this data it appears that youth unemployment has hit 1million.

Commenting on today’s unemployment statistics, Sheila Gilmore MP said:

“This is terrible news for young people in Edinburgh.  Since January there has been a 60% rise in young people on the dole for over six months  in Edinburgh. The real worry will be that we are seeing the scar of long term youth unemployment return to our area.

“Labour’s 5 point plan for jobs and growth would get our area moving again. We need to get people back to work and off benefits, or the scar of unemployment will do long term damage. At the moment we are stuck in a vicious cycle, with more people on benefits and out of work the deficit is harder to get down.”

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said:

“Today the government have been given a million reasons to change course on the economy. The brutal price our young people are paying for this government’s economic policy is now crystal clear. The verdict is in: this government is failing an entire generation. Whoever the government tries to blame, the fact is Britain’s economic recovery was choked off a year ago and unemployment started rising again well before the recent eurozone crisis. Their decision to cut too far and too fast is hurting and just not working.”

 

Next Page »